Madras High Court issues multiple rulings on temple wages, language use, and matrimonial law

The Madras High Court has issued several significant rulings addressing diverse legal and social issues in Tamil Nadu. In a decision regarding temple administration, the Madurai Bench directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to ensure temple employees receive living wages. The court observed that linking salaries to individual temple revenue resulted in many staff members earning less than the national floor level minimum wage, which the bench ruled violates the fundamental right to life.

In a separate matter, the court ordered the State government to remove an electric fence around the Arulmigu Sri Padalinga Sastha Temple in Tirunelveli within four weeks to prevent hardship and injury to devotees.

Regarding judicial procedure, the Madras High Court Advocates Association has challenged a 1965 Cabinet decision that maintains English as the common language in High Courts until it is replaced by Hindi. The Association argues that the policy violates the right to equality and Article 348(2) of the Constitution, seeking the optional use of Tamil in court proceedings to improve access to justice for litigants.

Additionally, the court addressed matrimonial law, ruling that the mere presence of another person in a matrimonial home is insufficient to prove adultery without reliable evidence of an adulterous relationship. Finally, the court expressed concern over Tamil Nadu universities functioning without Vice-Chancellors or Syndicates, noting that the reliance on temporary government-appointed committees for several years negatively impacts higher education.